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Return to The Elements of Geodesy: Gravity
In this global map of the geoid (Geoid99), the area in blue near India indicates a region where the Earth's gravity is weaker. In this area, the mean sea level is lower because the hypothetical ocean has been pulled away from the area of lower gravitational force towards other areas of the globe where the gravitational forces are stronger. Click on the image to see another example.

Geoid Earth with inset of Indian Ocean